Croda International Plc (LSE:CRDA) reported a 6.6% increase in organic sales to £449.9 million for the third quarter ended 30 September 2026, compared with £424.7 million a year earlier, supported by growth in its Consumer Care business.
Reported group revenue increased 5.9%, while the company maintained its full-year 2026 guidance and confirmed that its transformation programme remains on schedule.
Consumer Care Sales Rise 10.8% on Organic Basis
Consumer Care revenue increased to £266.3 million from £241.6 million a year earlier, representing organic growth of 10.8%.
Beauty Actives recorded 19% organic sales growth, while Beauty Care increased 13%, reflecting demand for premium products and new formulations.
Home Care sales rose 10%, while Fragrances and Flavours increased 4%. Croda said the latter business experienced some disruption related to the Middle East and the transfer of production to a new facility in China.
The company reported increases in both sales volumes and price/mix across Consumer Care.
Life Sciences Growth Offset by Lower Crop Protection Sales
Life Sciences revenue increased 1.8% organically to £135.2 million, compared with £133.8 million in the prior-year quarter.
Pharma sales rose 5%, supported by growth in pharmaceutical ingredients and improved sales in Pharma Solutions compared with the second quarter.
Seed Enhancement revenue increased 12%, while Crop Protection sales declined 9% against a prior-year period that benefited from customer restocking.
Croda attributed the reduction in Crop Protection demand partly to pressure on agricultural incomes.
Industrial Specialties revenue declined 1.2% organically to £48.4 million, reflecting lower supply agreement sales.
Asia Records 12% Organic Sales Growth
Asia delivered the highest regional organic sales growth at 12%, with increases across all business units.
Organic sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa increased 6%, while North America recorded 4% growth and Latin America rose 3%.
Croda reported increased demand for Beauty Actives in Asia and North America, while lower Crop Protection sales affected performance in the Americas.
Transformation Programme Targets £100 Million in Annual Benefits
Croda continues to implement its transformation programme, which targets approximately £100 million in annualised pretax benefits and a £50 million reduction in working capital by 2028.
The company previously reported cumulative savings of £46 million as of 30 June 2026.
Additional cost reductions are expected during the second half of 2026 and throughout 2027, including savings from supply chain changes.
FY2026 Guidance Remains Unchanged
Croda reiterated its expectation for full-year organic sales growth of between 3% and 6%, alongside an increase in adjusted operating margin.
The company also maintained its adjusted operating profit expectations for 2026 and its financial framework for 2028.
Management expects fourth-quarter sales to be seasonally lower than the third quarter on a constant currency basis, partly reflecting customer working capital management towards year-end.
Croda indicated that foreign exchange movements could reduce reported full-year operating profit by approximately £4 million if exchange rates remain at their October closing levels, including the anticipated effect of hyperinflation accounting.
The company is scheduled to publish its full-year 2026 results on 23 February 2027.
More About Croda International
Croda International Plc (LSE:CRDA) is a UK-based speciality chemicals company supplying ingredients and technologies for beauty, personal care, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and industrial applications. The FTSE 100 company operates across 36 countries and serves more than 17,000 customers worldwide.
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